Maintenance Technician, 1st Shift

Apex-International; Chaska (MN); On-site; USD 39,000 - 41,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Dental benefits

Vision benefits

401(k) with company match

Life Insurance

Paid Time Off

Job summary

Apex International is a leading manufacturer of over-the-counter personal care and household products. The Production Maintenance Technician I – 1st Shift is based in Chaska, MN, onsite, from 6:00 AM to 2:00 PM, Monday–Friday with possible Saturday work.

Responsibilities include equipment maintenance, PMs, and CMMS record-keeping. The role emphasizes safety, reliability, and continuous improvement within a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of mechanical maintenance experience in a manufacturing environment are required.
• High school diploma or equivalent preferred; technical training is a plus.
• Experience with packaging or production equipment is strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Maintain production equipment to maximize uptime and support production goals.
• Perform routine and emergency repairs; conduct changeovers and startup activities.
• Enter and manage work orders in the CMMS; track parts and inventory.
• Follow safety procedures (LOTO, GMP) and keep areas clean and organized.
• Support Lean and 5S initiatives and contribute to continuous improvement.

Skills

Mechanical maintenance

Troubleshooting

Preventive maintenance

Lean manufacturing

5S

Safety procedures

CMMS usage

Packaging equipment

Microsoft Office

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Technical training in industrial maintenance

Tools

CMMS software

Industrial maintenance tools

Job description

At Apex International, we pride ourselves on being a high-quality manufacturer of over-the-counter personal care and household products. We create collaborative partnerships with customers ranging from global Fortune 100 companies to entrepreneurial start-ups.

We are currently seeking a Production Maintenance Technician I – 1st Shift to join our team based in Chaska, MN. This onsite role is responsible for maintaining production equipment to maximize uptime, support production goals, and ensure safe and efficient operations.

This is a 1st Shift position working from 6:00AM to 2:00PM, Monday through Friday. Saturday work may be required based on business needs.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

1. Equipment Maintenance & Troubleshooting

• Respond to maintenance requests and perform routine and emergency repairs to support production uptime.
• Conduct equipment changeovers and start-ups efficiently to meet production standards.
• Test equipment after repairs or downtime to ensure readiness and minimize disruptions.
• Minimize temporary fixes by identifying and resolving root causes of issues.
• Order parts and request work orders to support ongoing equipment reliability.
• Track downtime and participate in continuous improvement discussions.
• Respond to internal customer (production) needs with urgency.

1. Preventive Maintenance & Continuous Improvement

• Perform scheduled preventive maintenance (PM) tasks to reduce downtime.
• Follow up on PM findings to improve equipment performance and reliability.
• Contribute to PM planning and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Support equipment modifications to improve efficiency and reduce waste.

1. CMMS & Inventory Management

• Accurately enter and manage work orders in the CMMS system.
• Track and issue parts to work orders and maintain inventory accuracy.
• Order and restock maintenance parts as needed.

1. Safety & Work Environment

• Follow all safety procedures including Lock-Out/Tag-Out (LOTO) and GMP requirements.
• Maintain clean, organized, and safe maintenance and production areas.
• Identify and address safety concerns proactively.

1. Continuous Improvement

• Support Lean manufacturing initiatives and 5S practices (Sort, Straighten, Shine, Standardize, Sustain).
• Assist in identifying and implementing process improvements to increase equipment reliability and efficiency.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of mechanical maintenance experience in a manufacturing environment required.
• High school diploma or equivalent preferred.
• Technical training or education in industrial maintenance or related field preferred.
• Experience with packaging or production equipment strongly preferred.
• Basic understanding of CMMS systems and maintenance processes.
• Ability to troubleshoot mechanical systems and perform repairs independently.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to multitask in a fast-paced environment.
• Basic computer skills including Microsoft Office.
• Basic math skills including fractions and decimals.
• Class C Boiler license preferred but not required.

Work Environment & Schedule

• Indoor manufacturing environment; may be seasonally hot and humid.
• Exposure to fragrances and materials used in personal care manufacturing.
• Frequent standing, walking, bending, and lifting (up to 50 lbs.).
• Occasional computer work for documentation and CMMS entries.
• 3rd shift schedule with flexibility based on production needs.
• Overtime may be required depending on business demands.

Benefits

• Medical, Dental, and Vision benefits
• 401(k) with company match
• Life InsurancePaid Time Off and Paid Holidays
• Short-Term Disability
• Hourly wage of $28 - $30 per hour, depending on experience

Apex International is an equal opportunity employer.